Sham El-Nassim Description
A uniquely Egyptian spring festival dating back to ancient Pharaonic times, celebrated by Egyptians of all faiths and sects. The name means 'smelling the breeze' in Coptic. Families flock to public parks, the banks of the Nile, and the seaside for picnics featuring traditional foods: fesikh (fermented salted fish), colored eggs, lettuce, and termis (lupini beans). Streets empty of traffic as millions head outdoors. Government offices, banks, and most businesses close. It is one of Egypt's oldest continuously observed festivals, predating both Christianity and Islam.
